Balfour Beatty’s Cecilia Kucharski Honored by San Diego Business Journal with “Business Women of the Year” Award

January 24, 2019

SAN DIEGO – Cecilia Kucharski, vice president of preconstruction and estimating for Balfour Beatty, has been honored by the San Diego Business Journal with the publication’s “Business Women of the Year” Award. Each year, the publication recognizes dynamic women business leaders making significant contributions to San Diego’s workplaces and communities. Kucharski was one of only 25 women recognized by a panel of judges who evaluated over 200 nominees.

Since joining Balfour Beatty in 2013, Kucharski has positively impacted business operations by streamlining project pursuit efforts and enhancing business development opportunities that have led to 238 project wins worth over $2 billion. A member of the California operation’s executive leadership team, Kucharski is also helping lead the development of Balfour Beatty’s five-year strategic diversity and inclusion plan in the United States.

Making it a priority to lift others up, Kucharski is a member of the Purdue University Construction Engineering and Management – Women in Construction Mentor Program (Purdue CEM WinC Program) that promotes the professional development of young women in construction. As part of the program, she has successfully mentored four women interns in the last five years, helping them navigate through challenges, and preparing them for future opportunities.

"Cecilia uses the influence and presence of her position to advocate for gender equality in construction,” said Tamara Yang, vice president of organizational development at Balfour Beatty. “Unwavering in her beliefs and driven by a deep sense of urgency, Cecilia is the backbone of Balfour Beatty’s Connecting Women program. She willingly gives her time, guidance and energy to support each of our local chapters across the country. She is also helping guide our executive level diversity and inclusion strategy with conviction and wisdom.”

Beyond the construction industry, Kucharski serves on the board of directors and public policy committee for the Downtown San Diego Partnership. She also serves on the management committee and acts as a district council treasurer for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) San Diego and Tijuana District Council, and is a legacy supporter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW).

Extending even further into the community, Kucharski’s passion for mentoring women reaches future generations. With three daughters, she is an active Girl Scout troop leader. In 2017, her Junior Girl Scout troop achieved the Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. Additionally, through her work with the ACE Mentor Program, she works with high-risk high school students to provide scholarships and future opportunities in the architecture, engineering and construction industries.